Behind Zelena Travel

Michelle Zelena

Michelle Zelena is a design lover, seasoned travel advisor, and digital marketing expert based in the Catskills, New York. As the founder of Zelena Marketing and a professional travel advisor, Michelle blends creative vision with strategic insight—booking unforgettable trips across 20+ countries, with specialties in destinations like the South of France and Miami.

She’s also a trusted micro-influencer, known for her refined taste and honest recommendations, generating six figures in affiliate revenue and featured by beloved brands for her content creation work. A bilingual daughter of first-generation parents, Michelle brings drive, warmth, and a global perspective to everything she does.

As a mother and frequent traveler herself, Michelle understands the importance of thoughtful, seamless planning—especially when it comes to balancing style and comfort for all ages. In her free time, you’ll find her exploring new cities, local boutiques, art galleries, and sharing her latest discoveries on Instagram.

BEHind Zelena Travel

Emily SantAmour

Emily's professional experience is rooted in food and hospitality. She runs a food business in Mérida, Mexico, where a deep appreciation for local ingredients, culture, and craft shapes the way she approaches both travel and life: a love of regional flavor, a sense of place, and an obsession with the small details that make an experience unforgettable. Her preferred style includes boutique and design-driven stays, vibrant local food scenes, farm-to-market dining, and an abundance of nature and culture.

Originally from New Jersey, Emily spent many years in Brooklyn before relocating during the pandemic. She knows Mexico intimately and now spends every summer in Biarritz, exploring the south of France and Spain with her husband and two boys. A mom to two, Emily crafts thoughtful, layered itineraries that balance family-friendly ease with grown-up indulgence: it's her love language

BEHind Zelena Travel

Kristina Ellis

Travel has been part of Kristina's story for as long as she can remember. Growing up, she was fortunate to explore different parts of the world with her family, sparking a curiosity and sense of wonder that has shaped her life. That passion has since taken her to more than 30 countries, including a memorable time studying abroad in both Paris and Australia.

No matter how many places she's visited, Kristina's favorite part of travel is still the feeling of arriving somewhere new for the first time. She loves discovering hidden gems, immersing herself in local cultures, finding incredible restaurants and hotels, and experiencing the moments that make a destination truly unforgettable. As a mom, it's especially meaningful to now share that sense of adventure with her son and watch him experience the joy, curiosity, and wonder that travel inspires.

Every trip represents something different, whether it's reconnecting with family, celebrating a milestone, embarking on an adventure, or simply taking time to recharge. Kristina's goal is to make the planning process seamless and enjoyable while helping her clients experience the very best a destination has to offer. She's developed a knack for uncovering exceptional hotels, restaurants, and local experiences, and she loves matching travelers with journeys that fit their interests, priorities, and budget. Whether you're looking for a luxury escape, a family-friendly getaway, or an off-the-beaten-path adventure, Kristina will help create a trip that's uniquely yours.

Client Testimonials

  • “I have now booked 5 trips I think with Michelle and the process is so smooth and easy. The choices of hotels are always great (and makes it so hard to choose! LOL). The perks are wonderful. I highly recommend booking trips with Michelle!”

    Bridgette S.

  • “Michelle never disappoints. She provides multiple options, and is an exceptional communicator. She always listens to what you are looking for and presents options accordingly. I highly recommend Michelle for all your travel needs!”

    Eileen S.

  • “Could not be more grateful for Michelle's guidance and support in planning this trip! She immediately understood the type of moms escape my best friend and I were hoping to have and she designed a truly exceptional experience with no fuss. Her recommendations were so spot on and I never would have come across some of the things without her insight. Also was so thoughtful about our budget! Thank you Michelle! Have already reached out for her help on another trip.”

    Megan W.

  • “Michelle was great! Super clear and presented lots of options that fit my budget and location preferences. Very responsive. Thank you!”

    Robbie S.

  • “Great experience booking with Michelle! She was able to get the room reserved quickly for us, and left us a sweet welcome note. She followed up during our stay and checked in afterwards to see how it was. We were deciding between a few Detroit hotels and she helped us narrow in on Shinola, and we were thrilled with it. Thank you Michelle!”

    Ranu R.

  • “Michelle is wonderful to work with - offering lots of options and suggestions for places to stay and booking quickly. Thanks for another wonderful stay, Michelle.”

    Shula M.

  • “Michelle was excellent at every step. I really appreciated her knowledge and advice. She helped me find exactly what I wanted. And in hindsight I think her recommendation of Chable Yucatan would have better suited me. I have already recommended her to many friends!”

    Jody K.

  • “Michelle was extremely attentive to every detail of our trip and made everything so easy for our travel. I told my husband that we will using Michelle for many more trips!”


    Melissa P.

  • “Michelle was so great to work with and is very quick with communicating. It was so great to just tell her what I was looking for and she took care of the rest for us! The personal touches she made for our trip was amazing. Definitely book with Michelle if you want a good time! Cheers!”

    Bonnie M.

  • “Michelle is fast, efficient and knowledgeable. She helped with booking meals and local recommendations. Thank you Michelle!!”

    Kelsey B.

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Let’s plan your next trip.

Whether you’re dreaming of a chic city stay, a family-friendly escape, or a once-in-a-lifetime getaway, I’ll handle every detail with care, creativity, and concierge-level service. With deep hotel connections, insider perks, and a taste for unforgettable experiences, I’ll make sure your time off feels effortless—and completely worth it. Let’s create something exceptional together.

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A cozy dining corner featuring a round wooden table, a cushioned chair, and a black curved bench. A decorative vase with dried flowers sits in a nook on the wall. A brass pendant lamp hangs above the table, illuminating the area. The flooring is wooden, enhancing the warm atmosphere.